Methods, systems, and media for providing media guidance with media content from alternate sources

ABSTRACT

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms for providing media guidance with media content from alternate sources are provided. In some embodiments, a method for providing media guidance with a plurality of media sources is provided, the method comprising: storing a plurality of media content listings corresponding to a plurality of media content items, wherein each of the plurality of media content items is provided by a content source; determining a subset of the plurality of media content listings for presenting to a user; determining, for each media content listing in the subset of the plurality of media content listings, whether an alternate source for providing a media content item corresponding to a media content listing is available, wherein the alternate source is different from the content source; and causing a subset of the plurality of media content listings to be presented to the user, wherein a selectable alternate source indicator is presented within the corresponding media content listing in response to determining that the media content item is available from the alternate source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/648,083, filed Oct. 9, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Methods, systems, and media for providing media guidance with mediacontent from alternate sources are provided.

BACKGROUND

There is an overwhelming volume of media content that is available tothe average consumer. More particularly, there are many applicationsthat a consumer can use on a television or set-top box that allow theconsumer to consume media content from various sources. For example, aconsumer can select between media content that is delivered linearlyfrom a multichannel video programming distributor, video-on-demandcontent that is provided by a multichannel video programmingdistributor, personal media content that is acquired by the consumer,recorded content that is stored on a digital video recorder or any othersuitable storage device, and/or on-demand content that is provided fromover-the-top providers.

As the number of sources continues to increase (e.g., additionalover-the-top providers of on-demand content), media guidance becomesincreasingly important. For example, prior to making a decision on whichmedia content to view, the consumer is generally required to selectwhich content source to access either by running a particularapplication or accessing a particular section in an application.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,mechanisms for providing media guidance with media content fromalternate sources are provided.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, amethod for providing media guidance with a plurality of media sources isprovided, the method comprising: storing, using a hardware processor, aplurality of media content listings corresponding to a plurality ofmedia content items, wherein each of the plurality of media contentitems is provided by a content source; determining, using the hardwareprocessor, a subset of the plurality of media content listings forpresenting to a user; determining, using the hardware processor, foreach media content listing in the subset of the plurality of mediacontent listings, whether an alternate source for providing a mediacontent item corresponding to a media content listing is available,wherein the alternate source is different from the content source; andcausing, using the hardware processor, a subset of the plurality ofmedia content listings to be presented to the user, wherein a selectablealternate source indicator is presented within the corresponding mediacontent listing in response to determining that the media content itemis available from the alternate source.

In some embodiments, the media content item is accessed from thealternate source in response to receiving a user selection of theselectable alternate source indicator. It should be noted that, in someembodiments, the content source is a broadcast television source and thealternate source is an over-the-top content source.

In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of media contentlistings is presented to the user as a program listings grid having oneor more rows of program listings.

In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of media contentlistings is presented to the user as a list of search results responsiveto a search query from the user.

In some embodiments, the determination of the alternate source isperformed for each of the subset of the plurality of media contentlistings for presenting to the user.

In some embodiments, the determination of the alternate source isperformed for each of the plurality of media content listings.

In some embodiments, the determination of the alternate source furtherincludes accessing a priority list having at least a first alternatesource and a second alternate source; determining whether the mediacontent item is available from the first alternate source; determiningwhether the media content item is available from the second alternatesource in response to determining that the media content item isunavailable from the first alternate source; and presenting theselectable alternate source indicator in response to determining thatthe media content item is available from the second alternate source,wherein the second alternate source is assigned to the media contentitem.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the media contentitem is available from the second alternate source, additional alternatesources are inhibited from being searched for the media content item.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, in response to determining that themedia content item is available from multiple alternate sources, theavailable alternate source is assigned to the media content item basedon a position in the priority list.

In some embodiments, user login information is stored along with thealternate source and, in response to receiving the user selection of theselectable alternate source indicator, the media content item isautomatically retrieved from the alternate source using the stored userlogin information.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, asystem for providing media guidance with a plurality of media sources isprovided. The system comprising: a storage device for storing aplurality of media content listings corresponding to a plurality ofmedia content items, wherein each of the plurality of media contentitems is provided by a content source; and a processor that isconfigured to: determine a subset of the plurality of media contentlistings for presenting to a user; determine, for each media contentlisting in the subset of the plurality of media content listings,whether an alternate source for providing a media content itemcorresponding to a media content listing is available, wherein thealternate source is different from the content source; and cause asubset of the plurality of media content listings to be presented to theuser, wherein a selectable alternate source indicator is presentedwithin the corresponding media content listing in response todetermining that the media content item is available from the alternatesource.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, anon-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method for providing media guidance with a plurality of mediasources, is provided. The method comprises: storing a plurality of mediacontent listings corresponding to a plurality of media content items,wherein each of the plurality of media content items is provided by acontent source; determining a subset of the plurality of media contentlistings for presenting to a user; determining, for each media contentlisting in the subset of the plurality of media content listings,whether an alternate source for providing a media content itemcorresponding to a media content listing is available, wherein thealternate source is different from the content source; and causing asubset of the plurality of media content listings to be presented to theuser, wherein a selectable alternate source indicator is presentedwithin the corresponding media content listing in response todetermining that the media content item is available from the alternatesource.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subjectmatter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconnection with the following drawing, in which like reference numeralsidentify like elements.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing mediaguidance with media content items from various sources using analternate source playback indicator in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrative screens of a grid guide of media contentlistings, where an alternate source playback indicator is provided alongwith a media content listing that indicates the corresponding mediacontent item is available from an alternate source, in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative screen of a detailed description region thatincludes options for obtaining the media content item from a televisionprovider or from an alternate source in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative screen of a detailed description region thatincludes options for obtaining the media content item from a televisionprovider or from multiple alternate sources in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen of a video region for playing back themedia content item in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for using prioritylists to select an alternate source from multiple alternate sourcesand/or determine whether to present an alternate source playbackindicator in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen of an alternate source configurationregion in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen of a grid guide of media contentlistings, where additional alternate source playback indicators areprovided along with a media content listing in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative screen of an alternate source configurationregion, where the media guidance application assist the user toconfigure a particular alternate source for obtaining media contentitems, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an illustrative system suitable implementationof the media guidance application in accordance with some embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an illustrative computing device and server asprovided, for example, in FIG. 11 in accordance with some embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,mechanisms for presenting media content from alternate sources areprovided. For example, in a media guidance application that providesmedia listings in a listings grid organized by time and by channel, themedia guidance application can determine whether the media content itemassociated with at least one of the media listings is also available forplayback from an alternate source. The alternate source can include, forexample, a digital video recorder (DVR), an over-the-top (OTT) contentsource, a video-on-demand (VOD) content source, and/or any othersuitable source. In this example, the alternate source can be a sourcethat is different from the television program source providing the medialistings in a listings grid organized by time and channel.

The media guidance application can access the available alternatesources to determine whether the media content item is available forplayback from one of the available sources. For example, the mediaguidance application can determine which alternate source is configuredon a user television device (e.g., which media playback applicationshave been downloaded, which alternate content sources are provided by aservice provider, etc.). In another example, the media guidanceapplication can receive a prioritized list of alternate sources from theuser (e.g., check recorded content on a digital video recorder first,check over-the-top content available from one or more over-the-topcontent providers second, check video-on-demand content third, etc.). Inyet another example, for particular types of content (e.g., over-the-topcontent), the media guidance application can use an application programinterface associated with a content provider to transmit a request for amedia content item.

In response to determining that a media content item in the media guidelistings has an alternate source for providing the content item, themedia guidance application can provide the user with an alternate sourceplayback indicator within the media guide listings. For example, a“play” icon or any other suitable alternate source playback indicatorcan be displayed as part of the media guide listing for that contentitem. In another example, an alternate source playback indicator can bedisplayed as part of any suitable listing of the media content item. Inyet another example, an alternate source playback indicator can bedisplayed on a detailed program screen describing the media contentitem.

In response to the user selecting the alternate content indicator (e.g.,by pressing a dedicated play button on a remote control or any othersuitable user interface, by selecting the play icon using a userinterface device, etc.), the media guidance application canautomatically determine which alternate source to playback the contentitem and initiate playback of the content item. For example, the mediaguidance application can use stored login and password informationassociated with the user to access the alternate source (e.g., aspecific over-the-top content provider) and automatically begindownloading or streaming the content item. Alternatively, the mediaguidance application can direct the user to a landing page that allowsthe user to access the content item (e.g., the page associated with aparticular over-the-top content provider for streaming the particularepisode of the program).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application can determine analternate source from multiple sources for accessing the content itembased on a priority list. For example, such a priority list can bereceived from the user. In this example, based on the priority listreceived from the user, the media guidance application can determine theavailability of a content item from recorded content stored on a digitalvideo recorder first, video-on-demand content items second, broadcasttelevision programs third, and over-the-top sources fourth. In anotherexample, the user can indicate that the media guidance applicationselects the least expensive alternate source for obtaining the contentitem. In yet another example, in response to determining multiplealternate sources that have the media content item available forplayback, the media guidance application can obtain the media contentitem from the alternate source with the higher position in the prioritylist. This can, for example, provide an alternate source indicator and,when selected, automatically obtain the media content item from analternate source without receiving a user selection of that source.

Although the embodiments described herein generally relate to provide analternate source indicator within a program listings grid that isorganized by channel and time, this is merely illustrative. For example,the media guidance application can be implemented with a search engine.In response to receiving a search query for a particular media contentitem or items, the media guidance application can provide the user withsearch results that indicate when each media content item is availableto the user (e.g., a channel, a date, a time, etc.) and can provide theuser with an opportunity to set a reminder, record the media contentitem, tune to the media content item (if currently available), etc. Inaddition, the media guidance application can also determine whether themedia content items in the search results are available from analternate source. Upon determining that a media content item isavailable from an alternate source (e.g., from an over-the-top source),the media guidance application can provide an alternate source indicatoralong with the search result corresponding to that media content item.

Turning to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an illustrative process 100for providing a media guidance application, where a guidance displayprovides an alternate source indicator upon determining that a mediacontent item is available from an alternate source, in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

Process 100 can begin by receiving multiple media content listings,where each media content listing corresponds to a media content item(e.g., a television program, a video clip, etc.) at 110. For example,the media guidance application can receive content listings and/or othermedia guidance data (e.g., broadcast times, broadcast channels, titles,descriptions, category information, media format information, etc.). Asshown in a program listings grid 200 in FIG. 2, the media guidance datacan include broadcast times (e.g., 6:00 PM-6:30 PM), broadcast channelinformation, titles, descriptions, duration, media format information(e.g., high definition), etc. These multiple content listings can bestored in any suitable storage device.

Referring back to FIG. 1, at 120, a subset of the multiple contentlistings can be determined for presenting to the user. For example, themedia guidance application can cause a subset of the multiple mediacontent listings to be presented by selecting a selectable option in adisplay screen (e.g., a listings option) or pressing a dedicated button(e.g., a guide button) on a remote control or other user inputinterface. In a more particular example, as shown in the programlistings grid 200 of FIG. 2, the media guidance application can select asubset of multiple content listings, such as media content listing 210,for presenting to the user based on a particular time window and aparticular set of channels. In another example, the media guidanceapplication can cause media content listings, such as media contentlisting 210, to be presented in a list of search results responsive to asearch query (e.g., “Dora”) inputted by the user.

Referring back to FIG. 1, at 130, for each media content listing in thesubset of presented multiple content listings, the media guidanceapplication can determine whether an alternate source for providing themedia content item corresponding to the media content listing isavailable. Additionally or alternatively, the media guidance applicationcan determine whether an alternate source for providing a media contentitem corresponding to a media content listing is available for eachreceived and/or stored media content listing (e.g., each media contentlisting stored in a set-top box, each media content listing stored in atablet computing device having media viewing capabilities, etc.).

In some embodiments, the determination can include determining whichalternate sources are available to the user and determining whether themedia content item is available for playback from one or more of thesealternate sources. In a more particular example, the media guidanceapplication can determine that a user at a media playback device hasaccess to video-on-demand (VOD) content and pay-per-view (PPV) providedby a multichannel video programming distributor, personal media contentacquired by the consumer, recorded content stored on a digital videorecorder or any other suitable storage device, and/or on-demand contentfrom various over-the-top providers. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application can detect which media playback applications havebeen configured on the media playback device (e.g., the user installedan application for a particular over-the-top content source, the mediaplayback application or device has access to a particular over-the-topcontent source, etc.). The media guidance application can then searchthrough metadata or any other suitable guidance data to determinewhether the media content item is available from one of these alternatesources. Additionally or alternatively, the media guidance applicationcan transmit a query to each of these alternate sources that requests anindication of whether an alternate source can playback the media contentitem.

As explained in more detail below, the media guidance application canaccess a priority list for determining which alternate source to providea media content item. In some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication can access a priority list to determine which alternatesource to search first prior to proceeding to other alternate sources.For example, the priority list can direct the media guidance applicationto determine whether a particular media content item is available fromrecorded content on a digital video recorder first and then, if notavailable from the digital video recorder, determine whether theparticular media content item is available from an over-the-top contentsource next. The priority list can be used to inhibit the media guidanceapplication from searching through particular alternate sources.Additionally or alternatively, the media guidance application can accessa priority list to determine which alternate source is assigned to aparticular media content item. For example, in response to determiningthat a media content item is available from multiple alternate sources(e.g., a VOD service, a recording device, a linear live televisioncontent provider, a particular over-the-top content provider, etc.), themedia guidance application can access a priority list to determine whichalternate source to assign to the media content item (e.g., thealternate source having the highest position in the priority list).

At 140, the subset of the plurality of media content listings can bepresented to the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the mediaguidance application can select a subset of multiple content listings,such as media content listing 210, for presenting to the user in aprogram listings grid 200. Program listings grid 200 is arranged by time(e.g., a row of time blocks between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM) and by channel(e.g., a column of channel identifiers including channels 114 through120) and allows a user to view programs and other media content itemsavailable at those times and on those channels.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication can be implemented on a mobile device or a tablet computingdevice, where program listings grid 200 including the subset of theplurality of media content listings can be presented on such a device.As described in further detail below, in some embodiments, the subset ofthe plurality of media content listings can be provided to the user on asecond screen device, such as a mobile device or a tablet computingdevice. In such an embodiment, program listings grid 200 including thesubset of the plurality of media content listings can be provided to theuser on the second screen device.

In some embodiments, for each media content item that is determined tobe available for playback from an alternate source, the media guidanceapplication can provide an alternate source playback indicator. Thealternate source playback indicator can be presented along with themedia content listing and, when selected by a user, can direct the mediaguidance application or any other suitable application to access themedia content item associated with the alternate source playbackindicator. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an alternate source playbackindicator 220 in the form of a play icon is displayed within the mediacontent listing 210. More particularly, the alternate source playbackindicator 220 in the form of a play icon is provided for the mediacontent item “Dora the Explorer” provided on channel 119 (NICK JR). Asalso shown, alternate source playback indicators are provided along withvarious media content listings in grid display 200 (e.g., for particular“30 Rock” content items, for particular “Dora the Explorer” contentitems, and for particular “Go, Diego, Go!” content items).

Using a user input device (e.g., a remote control, a keyboard, atouchpad, a mobile phone, etc.), a user can select media contentlistings by moving a highlight region 230. As shown in FIG. 3, inaddition to selecting media content listings, highlight region 230 canbe moved onto alternate source playback indicator 220. Alternatively,alternate source playback indicator 220 can be selected by pressing adedicated play button on a remote control or any other suitable userinterface, by selecting the play icon using a user input device, etc.

In some embodiments, in response to highlighting or otherwise selectinga media content listing (e.g., media content listing 210), the mediaguidance application can provide the user with a region includingadditional information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in response toselecting media content listing 210 using a user input device, the mediaguidance application can display region 310. As shown, in response toselecting media content listing 210 that corresponds to a particularepisode of “Dora the Explorer,” region 310 can be displayed thatincludes an image, a program title, a channel identifier, timinginformation, and a description associated with the media content item“Dora the Explorer.” In some embodiments, the media guidance applicationcan also provide the user with alternate source playback indicator 220within region 310.

In some embodiments, in response to requesting detailed informationrelating to a media content item, the media guidance application canprovide the user with a detailed information region. For example, asshown in FIG. 4, in response to requesting detailed information on aparticular episode of “Dora the Explorer,” the media guidanceapplication can display detailed information region 400. Moreparticularly, detailed information region 400 can include an imageassociated with the media content item “Dora the Explorer,” the programtitle, episodic information (e.g., season number, episode number, etc.),a detailed description of the media content item, airing dateinformation, network information, etc. As also shown in FIG. 4, themedia guidance application can provide the user with an option toplayback the media content item (e.g., the “Hic-Boom-Ohhh” episode ofthe “Dora the Explorer” program) from the television provider (e.g., bytuning to channel 119) using option 410 or from an alternate sourceusing option 420.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication can automatically determine which alternate source toprovide the media content item (e.g., the alternate source having thehighest position in a priority list). As shown in FIG. 4, the mediaguidance application can automatically determine which alternate sourcefrom multiple alternate sources to provide the media content item andprovide the user with option 420 to automatically access the mediacontent item from that alternate source. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the media guidance application can provide the user with anopportunity to select from the available alternate sources. For example,as shown in FIG. 5, the media guidance application can provide detailedinformation region 400 for the media content item (e.g., the“Hic-Boom-Ohhh” episode of the “Dora the Explorer” program) and providethe user with an opportunity to select to playback the media contentitem from one alternate source—e.g., by selecting option 510 to access arecorded version of the particular episode of the “Dora the Explorer”program stored on a digital video recorder or any other suitable storagedevice—or from another alternate source—e.g., by selecting option 520 toaccess the media content item provided by a particular over-the-topcontent provider (e.g., over-the-top source A).

Referring back to FIG. 1, in response to receiving a user selection ofan alternate source playback indicator at 150 (e.g., one of thealternate source playback indicators displayed within program grid 200),the media guidance application can access the alternate source forproviding the media content item to the user at 160. For example, themedia guidance application can use stored login and password informationassociated with the user to access the alternate source (e.g., aparticular over-the-top content provider) and automatically begindownloading or streaming the media content item. More particularly, anillustrative example of a full sized display screen 610 playing back amedia content item 620 is provided in FIG. 10. As shown, the mediaguidance application can automatically obtain the media content item 620from the alternate source 630 (e.g., without receiving a sourceidentifier from the user). In this example, in response to selecting thealternate source playback indicator, the media guidance application hasdetermined that the media content item for “Dora the Explorer” (Season1, Episode 3, “Hic-Boom-Ohhh”) is available from a video-on-demandprovider and has started to playback the media content item from thevideo-on-demand provider.

Alternatively, the media guidance application can direct the user to alanding page that allows the user to access the content item. In theexample above, the media guidance application can provide the user witha landing page of a particular over-the-top content provider forstreaming the particular episode of the program. In such an example, thelanding page can provide the user with an opportunity to view a detailedinformation page associated with the media content item provided by theparticular over-the-top content provider. In addition, the landing pagecan request that the user provide login and password information and/orpaying information prior to playing back the media content item.

As described above, in some embodiments, the media guidance applicationcan use a priority list for determining which alternate source to assignto a media content item. It should also be noted that, in someembodiments, the alternate source playback indicator can indicate thatmedia content item is available for playback from at least one ofmultiple alternate sources and, in response to receiving a userselection, the media guidance application can use the priority list todetermine which alternate source to access for playing back the mediacontent item.

Turning to FIG. 7, the media guidance application can access a list ofalternate sources for media content items at 710. For example, referringback to FIG. 2, the media guidance application can provide the user witha media configuration option 240. In response to selecting option 240,the media guidance application can provide the user with an opportunityto add or remove alternate sources at 720. For example, as shown in FIG.8, the media guidance application can provide the user with anopportunity to download a media playback application using option 810,provide login and/or password information using option 820, and/orconfigure the presentation of alternate source playback indicators usingoption 830.

In response to selecting option 810, the media guidance application candirect the user to obtain and/or install one or more media playbackapplications that connect the media playback device with the alternatesource. For example, a tablet computing device capable of playing backmedia content can download and install a media playback applicationprovided by a first over-the-top content provider or a secondover-the-top content provider. In another example, in response toinstalling and/or configuring a media playback application, the mediaguidance application can add the alternate source to the priority list.In yet another example, the media guidance application running onvarious computing devices (e.g., a set-top box and a tablet computingdevice) can determine which media playback applications are configuredon each of the various computing devices. In such an example, if a mediacontent item is available from an alternate source using a mediaplayback application installed on a tablet computing device, the mediaguidance application can prompt the user to either install and configurethe media playback application on the set-top box or playback the mediacontent item on the tablet computing device.

In response to selecting option 820, the media guidance application canreceive user name and/or password information associated with the userfor accessing one or more alternate sources. For example, when accessinga particular alternate source for playing back a media content item, themedia guidance application can use the username and/or passwordinformation to automatically access the alternate source and beginretrieving the media content item for playback to the user. In anotherexample, when username and/or password information has not been providedand an alternate source playback indicator has been selected, the mediaguidance application can direct the user to a landing page for obtainingthe particular media content item. In such an example, the media contentitem can be directly played from the landing page.

In response to selecting option 830, the media guidance application canprovide the user with various options for presenting the alternatesource playback indicator. For example, the media guidance applicationcan allow the user to view alternate source playback indicators forparticular media listings (e.g., display alternate source playbackindicators with search results and with media content listings displayedin a grid guide). In another example, the media guidance application canallow the user to provide different alternate source playback indicatorsfor particular alternate sources (e.g., a red-colored indicatorindicates that a payment is required for accessing the media contentitem from the alternate source, a green-colored indicator indicates thatthe media content item is currently available for retrieval from thealternate source, etc.). In yet another example, the media guidanceapplication can allow the user to select an alternate source playbackindicator having a different appearance than the alternate sourceplayback indicator shown in the embodiments described herein (e.g.,different color, different shape, different button for activation on auser input device, etc.).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application can determine that amedia content item is available from an alternate source that iscurrently unavailable. For example, the media guidance application cantransmit a request to various alternate sources for a media content itemand, in response to receiving the response from the various alternatesources, the media guidance application can determine that the mediacontent item is available from an alternate source that has not beenconfigured on the media playback device. For example, as shown in FIG.9, a hollow alternate source playback indicator 900 is provided, whichcan indicate that the media content item is available from an alternatesource that is currently unavailable.

In response to selecting alternate source playback indicator 900, themedia guidance application can direct the user to the configurationregion 800 for configuring the alternate source. For example, this caninclude downloading a media playback application corresponding to thealternate source. In another example, as shown in FIG. 10, the mediaguidance application can assist the user to configure the media playbackapplication corresponding to the alternate source. As shown, the mediaplayback application can provide the user with option 1010 forautomatically obtaining a media playback application corresponding tothe alternate source. In addition, the media playback application canprovide the user with option 1020 for automatically obtaining a mediaplayback application corresponding to the alternate source within thepriority list.

Referring back to FIG. 7, in response to configuring the alternatesources, the media guidance application can provide the user with anopportunity to prioritize the list of alternate content sources at 730.For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the media guidance application canprovide the user with a priority list 850 of alternate sources, wherethe user can assign a particular alternate source with a higher prioritylevel or a lower priority level with respect to another alternatesource. As shown in priority list 850, the user has indicated that, foralternate sources, the media guidance application can determine theavailability of a media content item from recorded content on a digitalvideo recorder first, on-demand content from a video-on-demand providersecond, broadcast content third, content obtained from a firstover-the-top content provider (e.g., OTT source A) fourth, and contendobtained from a second over-the-top content provider (e.g., OTT sourceB) fifth. Alternatively, the media guidance application can determinewhether the media content item is available from any of these alternatesources and use priority list 850 to determine which alternate source toassign to the media content item for playing back the media content item(e.g., the alternate source having a higher position within prioritylist 850).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application can provide the userwith an opportunity to set payment information associated with prioritylist 850. For example, the media guidance application can allow the userto indicate that an alternate source is considered available for playingback a media content item if the fee associated with obtaining thatmedia content item is less than five dollars. In another example, themedia guidance application can allow the user to indicate that the leastexpensive alternate source for obtaining the media content item isselected.

Based on priority list 850 and other user-configured settings, the mediaguidance application can determine whether to present a selectablealternate source indicator corresponding to a media content listing at740. Similar to 160 of FIG. 6, the media guidance application can obtainthe media content item from the alternate source, where the alternatesource is selected based on the priority list at 750.

It should be understood that the above steps of the flow diagram ofFIGS. 1 and 7 can be executed or performed in any order or sequence notlimited to the order and sequence shown and described in the figure.Also, some of the above steps of the flow diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 7 canbe executed or performed substantially simultaneously where appropriateor in parallel to reduce latency and processing times.

It should be noted that, although the embodiments described hereingenerally relate to playing back media content items on a usertelevision device, this is merely illustrative. For example, in someembodiments, the media guidance application can select an alternatesource playback indicator associated with a media content listing (e.g.,within a grid guide or listings display) presented on a user televisiondevice and, in response to the selection of the alternate sourceplayback indicator, the media guidance application can instruct a secondscreen device (e.g., a tablet computing device, a mobile phone, etc.) toobtain and playback the media content item from the alternate source.Alternatively, the media guidance application running on a tabletcomputing device can be used to select an alternate source playbackindicator associated with a media content listing presented by thetablet computing device, where the tablet computing device can instructthe user television device or any other suitable media playback deviceto obtain and playback the media content item from the alternate source.

FIG. 11 is a generalized schematic diagram of a system on which themedia guidance application can be implemented in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated, system 1100can include one or more computing devices 1102, such as a user computingdevice for viewing media content listings and/or obtaining and playingback media content items from various sources, a tablet computing devicefor transmitting user instructions to a television device, etc. Forexample, computing device 1102 can be implemented as a personalcomputer, a tablet computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a portable email device, a multimedia terminal, a mobile telephone, agaming device, a set-top box, a television, a smart television, etc.

In some embodiments, computing device 1102 can include a storage device,such as a hard drive, a digital video recorder, a solid state storagedevice, a gaming console, a removable storage device, or any othersuitable device for storing media content, media guidance information,etc.

In some embodiments, computing device 1102 can include a second screendevice. For example, the second screen device can display a guidancedisplay (e.g., a grid guide of media content listings) and, in responseto receiving a user selection, can transmit playback instructions to atelevision device. In another example, a second screen device canpresent the user with alternate source preferences, where the alternatesource preferences are transmitted to a set-top box or a televisiondevice.

Computing devices 1102 can be local to each other or remote from eachother. For example, when one computing device 1102 is a television andanother computing device 1102 is a second screen device (e.g., a tabletcomputing device, a mobile telephone, etc.), the computing devices 1102may be located in the same room. Computing devices 1102 are connected byone or more communications links 1104 to a communications network 1106that is linked via a communications link 1108 to a server 1110.

System 1100 can include one or more servers 1110. Server 1110 can be anysuitable server for providing access to the media guidance application,such as a processor, a computer, a data processing device, or acombination of such devices. For example, the media guidance applicationcan be distributed into multiple backend components and multiplefrontend components or interfaces. In a more particular example, backendcomponents, such as media guidance data distribution can be performed onone or more servers 1110. Similarly, the graphical user interfacesdisplayed by the media guidance application, such as a media contentlistings interface for accessing media content items or a searchinterface for retrieving media content items responsive to a searchquery, can be distributed by one or more servers 1110 to computingdevice 1102. For example, server 1110 can be operated by a contentprovider that stores media content items and/or media guidance data inone or more databases, where the media guidance application using server1110 displays a guidance display or any other suitable graphical userinterfaces to users for searching and/or accessing media content items.

In some embodiments, server 1110 can include any suitable server forproviding content, such as broadcast content, on-demand content,over-the-top content, pay-per-view content, Internet content, and/or anyother suitable media content. For example, server 1110 can include acontent server for providing over-the-top content to one or morecomputing devices 1102. In some embodiments, server 1110 can include anysuitable server for providing media guidance information, such asscheduled program times, content descriptions, channel information,network information, rating information, etc.

More particularly, for example, each of the computing devices 1102 andserver 1110 can be any of a general purpose device such as a computer ora special purpose device such as a client, a server, etc. Any of thesegeneral or special purpose devices can include any suitable componentssuch as a processor (which can be a microprocessor, digital signalprocessor, a controller, etc.), memory, communication interfaces,display controllers, input devices, etc. For example, computing device1102 can be implemented as a personal computer, a tablet computingdevice, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable email device, amultimedia terminal, a mobile telephone, a gaming device, a set-top box,a television, etc.

In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media can be usedfor storing instructions for performing the processes described herein.For example, in some embodiments, computer readable media can betransitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitory computerreadable media can include media such as magnetic media (such as harddisks, floppy disks, etc.), optical media (such as compact discs,digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), semiconductor media (such asflash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), etc.), anysuitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of any semblance ofpermanence during transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. Asanother example, transitory computer readable media can include signalson networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, anysuitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance ofpermanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible media.

Referring back to FIG. 11, communications network 1106 may be anysuitable computer network including the Internet, an intranet, awide-area network (“WAN”), a local-area network (“LAN”), a wirelessnetwork, a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) network, a frame relaynetwork, an asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”) network, a virtualprivate network (“VPN”), or any combination of any of such networks.Communications links 1104 and 1108 may be any communications linkssuitable for communicating data between computing devices 1102 andserver 1110, such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links,hard-wired links, any other suitable communications links, or acombination of such links. Computing devices 1102 enable a user toaccess features of the application. Computing devices 1102 and server1110 may be located at any suitable location. In one embodiment,computing devices 1102 and server 1110 may be located within anorganization. Alternatively, computing devices 1102 and server 1110 maybe distributed between multiple organizations.

Referring back to FIG. 11, the server and one of the computing devicesdepicted in FIG. 11 are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 12. Referringto FIG. 12, computing device 1102 may include processor 1202, display1204, input device 1206, and memory 1208, which may be interconnected.In a preferred embodiment, memory 1208 contains a storage device forstoring a computer program for controlling processor 1202.

Processor 1202 uses the computer program to present on display 1204 themedia guidance application and the data received through communicationslink 1104 and commands and values transmitted by a user of computingdevice 1102. It should also be noted that data received throughcommunications link 1104 or any other communications links may bereceived from any suitable source. Input device 1206 may be a computerkeyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a keypad, a touchpad, acursor-controller, a dial, a switchbank, a lever, a remote control, orany other suitable input device as would be used by a designer of inputsystems or process control systems. Alternatively, input device 1206 maybe a finger or stylus used on a touch screen display 1204.

Server 1110 may include processor 1220, display 1222, input device 1224,and memory 1226, which may be interconnected. In a preferred embodiment,memory 1226 contains a storage device for storing data received throughcommunications link 1108 or through other links, and also receivescommands and values transmitted by one or more users. The storage devicefurther contains a server program for controlling processor 1220.

In some embodiments, the application may include an application programinterface (not shown), or alternatively, the application may be residentin the memory of computing device 1102 or server 1110. In anothersuitable embodiment, the only distribution to computing device 1102 maybe a graphical user interface (“GUI”) which allows a user to interactwith the application resident at, for example, server 1110.

In one particular embodiment, the application may include client-sidesoftware, hardware, or both. For example, the application may encompassone or more Web-pages or Web-page portions (e.g., via any suitableencoding, such as HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”), Dynamic HyperTextMarkup Language (“DHTML”), Extensible Markup Language (“XML”),JavaServer Pages (“JSP”), Active Server Pages (“ASP”), Cold Fusion, orany other suitable approaches).

Although the application is described herein as being implemented on auser computer and/or server, this is only illustrative. The applicationmay be implemented on any suitable platform (e.g., a personal computer(“PC”), a mainframe computer, a dumb terminal, a data display, a two-waypager, a wireless terminal, a portable telephone, a portable computer, apalmtop computer, an H/PC, an automobile PC, a laptop computer, acellular phone, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a combinedcellular phone and PDA, etc.) to provide such features.

Accordingly, methods, systems, and media for providing media guidancewith media content from alternate sources are provided.

Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustratedin the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that thepresent disclosure has been made only by way of example, and thatnumerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosedsubject matter can be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosed subject matter. Features of the disclosed embodimentscan be combined and rearranged in various ways.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing media guidance with aplurality of media sources, the method comprising: receiving, using ahardware processor, a plurality of media content listings for presentingto a user that are each associated with one of a plurality of televisioncontent sources; determining, without user intervention, for a mediacontent listing of the plurality of media content listings, anavailability of a media content item corresponding to the media contentlisting from one or more alternate sources of media content, whereineach of the one or more alternate sources is different than theplurality of television content sources; causing the plurality of mediacontent listings to be presented to the user; concurrently with causingthe plurality of media content listings to be presented, causing analternate source indicator to be presented to the user within the mediacontent listing in response to determining that the corresponding mediacontent item is available from the one or more alternate sources ofmedia content; and causing the corresponding media content item to bepresented in response to receiving a selection of the alternate sourceindicator.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the television contentsource is a broadcast television source and the one or more alternatesources is an over-the-top content source.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of media content listings is presented to the useras a program listings grid having one or more rows of media contentlistings.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mediacontent listings is presented to the user as a list of search resultsresponsive to a search query from the user.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: accessing a priority list having at least a firstalternate source and a second alternate source; determining whether themedia content item is available from the first alternate source;determining whether the media content item is available from the secondalternate source in response to determining that the media content itemis unavailable from the first alternate source; and causing thealternate source indicator to be presented in response to determiningthat the media content item is available from the second alternatesource, wherein the second alternate source is associated with the mediacontent item.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising inhibitingadditional alternate sources from being searched for the media contentitem in response to determining that the media content item is availablefrom the second alternate source.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: storing login information associated with the one or morealternate sources; and retrieving, without user intervention, thecorresponding media content item from an available alternate sourceusing the stored login information.
 8. A system for providing mediaguidance with a plurality of media sources, the system comprising: ahardware processor that is configured to: receive a plurality of mediacontent listings for presenting to a user that are each associated withone of a plurality of television content sources; determine, withoutuser intervention, for a media content listing of the plurality of mediacontent listings, an availability of a media content item correspondingto the media content listing from one or more alternate sources of mediacontent, wherein each of the one or more alternate sources is differentthan the plurality of television content sources; cause the plurality ofmedia content listings to be presented to the user; concurrently withcausing the plurality of media content listings to be presented, causean alternate source indicator to be presented to the user within themedia content listing in response to determining that the correspondingmedia content item is available from the one or more alternate sourcesof media content; and cause the corresponding media content item to bepresented in response to receiving a selection of the alternate sourceindicator.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the television contentsource is a broadcast television source and the one or more alternatesources is an over-the-top content source.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the plurality of media content listings is presented to the useras a program listings grid having one or more rows of media contentlistings.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of mediacontent listings is presented to the user as a list of search resultsresponsive to a search query from the user.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the hardware processor is further configured to: access apriority list having at least a first alternate source and a secondalternate source; determine whether the media content item is availablefrom the first alternate source; determine whether the media contentitem is available from the second alternate source in response todetermining that the media content item is unavailable from the firstalternate source; and cause the alternate source indicator to bepresented in response to determining that the media content item isavailable from the second alternate source, wherein the second alternatesource is associated with the media content item.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the hardware processor is further configured toinhibit additional alternate sources from being searched for the mediacontent item in response to determining that the media content item isavailable from the second alternate source.
 14. The system of claim 8,wherein the hardware processor is further configured to: store logininformation associated with the one or more alternate sources; andretrieve, without user intervention, the corresponding media contentitem from an available alternate source using the stored logininformation.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,cause the process to perform a method for providing media guidance witha plurality of media sources, the method comprising: receiving aplurality of media content listings for presenting to a user that areeach associated with one of a plurality of television content sources;determining, without user intervention, for a media content listing ofthe plurality of media content listings, an availability of a mediacontent item corresponding to the media content listing from one or morealternate sources of media content, wherein each of the one or morealternate sources is different than the plurality of television contentsources; causing the plurality of media content listings to be presentedto the user; concurrently with causing the plurality of media contentlistings to be presented, causing an alternate source indicator to bepresented to the user within the media content listing in response todetermining that the corresponding media content item is available fromthe one or more alternate sources of media content; and causing thecorresponding media content item to be presented in response toreceiving a selection of the alternate source indicator.
 16. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the television contentsource is a broadcast television source and the one or more alternatesources is an over-the-top content source.
 17. The computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of media content listings ispresented to the user as a program listings grid having one or more rowsof media content listings.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the plurality of media content listings is presented to the useras a list of search results responsive to a search query from the user.19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the method furthercomprises: accessing a priority list having at least a first alternatesource and a second alternate source; determining whether the mediacontent item is available from the first alternate source; determiningwhether the media content item is available from the second alternatesource in response to determining that the media content item isunavailable from the first alternate source; and causing the alternatesource indicator to be presented in response to determining that themedia content item is available from the second alternate source,wherein the second alternate source is associated with the media contentitem.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the methodfurther comprises inhibiting additional alternate sources from beingsearched for the media content item in response to determining that themedia content item is available from the second alternate source. 21.The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the method furthercomprises: storing login information associated with the one or morealternate sources; and retrieving, without user intervention, thecorresponding media content item from an available alternate sourceusing the stored login information.